The Process: Step by Step
I start with sketching and watercoloring while observing Alexis dancing in my studio.
I draw directly on clay while Alexis continued to dance.
I undulated the surface by adding foam and newspaper under the large clay slab.
I cut the mural into pieces to make it manageable to handle and fire.
Each piece was made into a three dimensional box form.
The pieces were bisqued fired.
I dip each piece into a black maiolica glaze. Alexis modeled for me in the same poses and I drew with wax.
Each piece was dipped in white maiolica glaze. The wax resisted the white glaze to retain a black line. After the glaze dried a bit I painted with overglazes while observing Alexis dancing again.
The pieces were fired to 1865 degrees to turn the glaze into permanent surface.